Heather Wright/The Independent

The entire council in Plympton-Wyoming has been returned to office. 

Mayor elect Gary Atkinson defeated Tim Wilkins 2,061 to 1,633 in the polls Monday. Deputy mayor elect Netty McEwen got more than double the votes of challenger Brad Zantingh. 

Alex Boughen topped the polls for councillors with 2,446 votes; John Van Klaveren had 2,164 votes; Mike Vasey collected 2,075 ballots, Kristin Rodrigues and Bob Woolvett rounded out the council with 1,980 and 1,808 respectively.

Boughen said he was “overwhelmed and very humble and happy” after the votes came in. And he’s glad he will be be working with his council colleagues in the next four years.

“We made a lot of progress last four years, and we did the best individually to talk about what we’ve done and what we want to keep doing. And I think it shows that we got to keep the path forward and keep making progress and actually making changes to make a difference.”

Atkinson is also happy the entire council is returning.

“I’m very pleased and humbled that the whole team is back.,” Atkinson tells The Independent. “It shows that the residents are comfortable, are pleased with what the job that we’ve done, but we also realise there’s more work to be done, so we don’t take anything for granted. We know we have a lot to do, and we’re going to continue working together, moving this municipality forward.”

Atkinson says infrastructure, specifically water and waste water infrastructure, is the most important job for the new council. “And also continue with our roads. We also want to work on the plaza. We have to do something with that. We know that we have a few things that we’re that are brewing, and we’re going to follow up on that.”

The mayor-elect added he was pleased with the calibre of the candidates who ran. “I think they brought a lot to the table,” Atkinson said. “I think they showed an interest, and I think they continue to with that interest, and if they can get involved with some committees, it also helps them if they decide to move on forward after that.”